December 7, 2009
Views from the bridge operator perspective
Another reason why we love Portland so much on these blistery yet sunny winter days – it is such a beautiful place to live.
November 21, 2009
Personal dominions #2
The second in a series of interviews…possibly it is because I am curious about their lives, but my clients and friends become known in a way that I never would have expected, just by posing some rather simple questions to them.
Portland bicyclist, deep thinker, and possessor of the ability to find and express the irreverent twist of humor in everything that he sees.
- Favorite window in your new home and why?
I think the upstairs french doors, if I can count those as windows. I
can only see trees and sky out of them, so it feels like I’m in a tree
house. They let in so much light that it always feels like a sunny
spring day up there.
- What item could you not live without?
Probably a laptop. Which is strange, because I did live without one
for so long. We all did. But I don’t know how we did it.
- What is the greenest most environmentally conscious thing that you do?
I try to ride a bike almost everywhere I go.
- Favorite bike of the moment?
It’s one I built myself. I’m not much of a builder of things, so I’m
just proud that the lugs have stayed together. It was painted to look
like wood, so I like to call it the “station wagon”.
- What is boring, and what is not?
Personal finance is boring. Roller derby is boring. Other peoples
stories about flights and layovers are boring. People treat travel
conversations like misery contests, and no one ever wins.
Listening to a new favorite song for the first time is not boring.
Thinking about traveling is not boring.
- Favorite scent, song, thing to touch, and item to look at? ( one
word answers, no explanation needed )
Scent: Sir Walter Raleigh pipe tobacco
Song: Today? Bring It On Home to Me by Sam Cooke
Touch: My cat’s belly.
Look at: A steaming french press.
- Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I’d like to think that I’ll still be in Portland, but working for
myself somehow. I spend my days in a bleak sea of cubicles, and I can
feel it wearing me down. I need a change.
- Latest obsession or inspiring thing?
Historic photography. Old pictures make everything look better.
Sometimes it’s fun to be reminded that non-golfers once effortlessly
wore hats and knickers. At the historical society downtown they have a
photo archive where you can can look up anything in Portland and
they’ll give you a file folder of old photos. I used to spend my lunch
hours there.
- What is your favorite color?
Brown.
- What about design interests you?
I don’t like projects that are in progress because they make me feel
anxious. I like completion. I like when things feel like they’re in
the right place, and that nothing needs to be changed. And I think
that good design creates that feeling of contentment. Fonts or
architecture or furniture or websites can make you feel that way,
where you just want to exhale and say “I wouldn’t change anything.”
Bad design is like a work in progress, something that can obviously be
improved upon.
- One project you would complete on your home if you had the
resources to complete it?
I’d turn the garage into a livable space. And I’d make sure that it
had a ladder that went to something up high. I’ve always wanted to
live somewhere with a ladder. It would be my private space, away from
drunks and acrophobics and animals lacking opposable thumbs and anyone
else that couldn’t climb a ladder.
-What is always in your fridge?
October 23, 2009
PORTLAND!
October 3, 2009
Personal Dominions
The first of a series of interviews with interesting people in my world, who have stories to tell about their lives, how design influences them and how their homes contain them, even sometimes while they are not there.
Rachel Demy – Tour manager, lover of knitting, pretty+smart girl, and great companion for watching movies.
- favorite room of your home?
THE KITCHEN. IT IS A MAGNET FOR ALL THE HAPPIEST AND SADDEST MOMENTS AND CONVERSATIONS.
- what does the light look like there?
CRISP AND CLEAN. THE EAST-FACING WINDOW MAKES YOU FEEL REBORN EVERY MORNING.
- favorite room outside of your home?
THE DECK ON THE SIDE OF OUR HOME. THE BAMBOO LENDS A TANGIBLE FEELING OF PEACE.
- what is always in your fridge?
ORGANIC HALF AND HALF. SOMETIMES IT’S THE ONLY THING…
- greenest (sustainable thing ) that you do?
I SUPPOSE RECYCLING. SINCE I LIVE MOST OF MY LIFE ON THE ROAD, AND TOURING IS NOT A VERY GREEN INDUSTRY, IT’S DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN DEVOUT ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES. AS SMALL AS IT SOUNDS, BRINGING MY OWN WATER BOTTLE ON TOUR SPARES THE LOCAL LANDFILL OF HUNDREDS OF PLASTIC BOTTLES. AND IT SAVES THE VAN FROM NEEDING TO BE CONSTANTLY CLEANED OUT.
- late afternoon routine?
EARL GREY TEA. THE MORE BERGAMOT, THE BETTER.
- what is the most interesting thing about being on the road – and the most dreadful thing.
THE MOST INTERESTING THING IS THE SKEWED SENSE OF TIME AND SPACE ON THE ROAD – THE SHOW THE DAY BEFORE FEELS LIKE YEARS AGO; THE PEOPLE YOU MEET TODAY BECOME BEST FRIENDS INSTANTLY; AND THERE IS THIS FEELING OF “BEING IN THE TRENCHES” WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE, A SORT OF SPONTANEOUS FAMILY. ALL OF THIS AND THE ABILITY TO SEE NEW PLACES ARE THE BEST THINGS ABOUT TOURING. THEY’RE ALSO THE WORST. YOU LOSE TRACK OF DAYS, BIRTHDAYS, FRIENDS, AND YOU FEEL STRANGELY BEHOLDEN TO A GROUP OF PEOPLE YOU DON’T ACTUALLY KNOW VERY WELL AT ALL. THE LACK OF PRIVACY HAS YOU CONSTANTLY AROUND PEOPLE, BUT NOT PEOPLE WHO KNOW YOU AND LOVE YOU THE WAY YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DO. IT’S A STRANGE LONELINESS. I ALSO THINK THE LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY ALLOWS PEOPLE TO JUSTIFY BAD BEHAVIOR ON THE ROAD – DRINKING EVERY NIGHT, CHEATING ON PARTNERS, ETC. TOURING IS A SMALL UNIVERSE DETACHED FROM STANDARD EXPECTATIONS, ETHICS, AND MORALS. DONE RIGHT, THIS CAN BE AN EMPOWERING EXPERIENCE. BUT IT’S RARELY DONE RIGHT.
- latest inspiring person in your life
IT’S REALLY DIFFICULT TO PICK JUST ONE SO I’M GOING TO SAY ALL OF THE WOMEN IN MY LIFE. MY GIRLFRIENDS, MOTHER, AND SISTER ARE A CONSTANT TESTAMENT TO THE LOVE AND STRENGTH OF THE FEMININE SPIRIT. I FEEL SO INSPIRED BY MY THEIR RESILIENCY AND THEIR DESIRE TO BETTER THEMSELVES. IT KEEPS ME WANTING THE SAME FOR MYSELF – IT’S NOT EASY BEING IN A LAZY RUT AROUND THESE LADIES.
- what item do you always have with you?
MY BOYFRIEND AND I SHARE A STUFFED LION, APTLY NAMED, LYON. HE TRAVELS WITH US EVERYWHERE AND IS A CONSTANT SOURCE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC INSPIRATION.
- where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
STILL WORKING FOR MYSELF AND ON MYSELF – I DON’T THINK I’D LIKE TO BE A TOUR MANAGER 5 YEARS FROM NOW BECAUSE OF THE UNTOLD PHYSICAL REPERCUSSIONS. BUT I WOULD LOVE TO BE IN WORKING WITH MUSICIANS ON MY OWN TERMS, NO ONE ELSE’S. OH, AND PROBABLY MARRIED OR SOMETHING.
- latest obsession that you think about all of the time….
POSITIVE OBSESSION: KNITTING AND CREATING PATTERNS.
NEGATIVE OBSESSION: MY DEBT.
September 14, 2009
Why can’t America have stamps like these?
August 28, 2009
New press from Portland Picks for jewelry by Lydia Yost
Follow her on twitter – littlefeathers.
Also mentioned on Chicago Picks 9/4/2009!
| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | What the Kids Are Wearing
We’re ready to channel Stevie Nicks this fall, with all the boho looks we’re seeing. But we need that rocker edge so we don’t look like groupies at a Joan Baez show. What’s a fashionable girl to do? Check out these amazing earrings by Lydia Yost. Made with real feathers, and starting at just $25, they’ll send you back to school in style—or rock a board meeting like nobody’s biz! Available at Pop-Up Shoppe on NW 23rd, Pin-Me Apparel on N. Mississippi Ave., and Icon Tattoo on N. Russell St. |
||
August 16, 2009
Jewelry from found objects
Lydia Yost has been making jewelry – necklaces and earrings for awhile now, but there is something that becomes more magical about them as she adds new articles to each item and her line continues to grow. First begun with feathers from her very own chickens that she raised from babies, she is now dissecting owl pellets and tying in small bones to some, while adding precious minerals or old mahjongg tiles to others. Her necklace line is equally as mesmerizing, if you look closely you can see that the base is actually an old watch face that she has taken apart, then added back clear non toxic resin that actually holds small objects in layers as if they are floating. Some are filled with the gold watch gears and parts, but others contain small pieces of lettering or bones. There is a rich personal story in each lovingly made one of a kind piece.
Soon to be on Portland Picks, and sold through Pin Me Apparel 3705 N. Mississippi Portland, Oregon 97227, Pop Up Shoppe 919 NW 23rd Portland, Oregon 97210 and Icon Tattoo 813 N. Russell Portland, Oregon 97227.
Lydia is also available to make commissioned jewelry, one loyal customer who owns a beautiful chicken gave Lydia the feathers for a personal pair of earrings. They were delivered just yesterday and she loves them!
Her prices range from $25-$200 and she may be contacted at gemstonematrix76@comcast.net
July 7, 2009
Edelkoort and Bloom
There is almost too much to say, in a world where there is never quite enough to say, about someone and a magazine. A recommendation came to purchase Bloom by a dear friend and fellow creative years ago, however, I was discouraged by the cost. Receiving my first issue as a gift this year was very nice indeed. Forever inspired by flowers, trees and the natural world around me, I was pleased to find it all in one publication, specifically bent towards how these are interwoven in fabric, art, colors and surfaces. Perceiving trends before they are known and translating that to institutions, designers and branding leaders are just one facet of Li Edelkoorts broad range.
